Have you already planned your summer vacation and chosen Spain? Perhaps you should include Malaga in your Spain itinerary. This is a city that is not on everyone's lips, unlike Barcelona or Madrid, but, nevertheless, deserves special attention. Among all the resorts in Spain, Malaga most of all impresses tourists with an amazing synthesis of beach holidays and a rich cultural program. Here, many historical sights are organically combined with beautiful beaches. After reading this article, you will learn new things about the culture of Spain, what to see in Malaga, what this wonderful city is famous for.
A bit of history and geography
Malaga is a city located on the Mediterranean coast in southern Spain in the Costa del Sol region. It is believed that the city was founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC. That is, the history of the city has already 29 centuries. During this time, Malaga was constantly conquered and reconquered. The city was part ofRoman Empire, then became the capital of the Muslim state, and during the era of the industrial revolution, it was even the largest economic center of Spain. Thanks to its rich and eventful history, Malaga has many attractions to offer tourists: from the Roman ancient amphitheater and the Arab fortress to cathedrals and modern art museums.
By the way, the city is also famous for the fact that the great Spanish artist Pablo Picasso was born here, so art lovers who come to Malaga have the opportunity to visit 2 museums that tell about the life and work of the legendary surrealist.
Malaga, Spain: how to get there?
Malaga has a major international airport, railway station and seaport. Despite the fact that most flights from Russia to Malaga are connecting (with transfers), the most profitable way for Russians is still considered to be the way to Malaga by air. If a big tour of Spain is planned, and Malaga is not the first point in the route, then you can get to the city by land transport - by train or by bus.
Malaga's top attractions: Roman theater
Malaga is a city in Spain, whose sights amaze with a variety of eras. For example, one of the oldest buildings in Malaga is the Roman Theatre, built in the 1st century BC and still well preserved. The theater was used for its intended purpose until the 3rd century AD, and later, under the Muslim government, it was turned into a quarry. It is surprising that they discovered this archaeological find completelyby chance - during repairs in the garden of the House of Culture of Malaga in 1951. As it turned out a little later during the excavations, the theater was located just under the House of Culture.
Having been in this place, you can touch the history, learn more about the life of the ancient Romans, walk on the stones that were walked two thousand years ago. This unique opportunity is used by many tourists, so the Roman Theater is quite a popular attraction.
Malaga Fortress
Fortress of Malaga (Alcazaba) - an ancient fortress, preserved from the time when Malaga was part of a Muslim state. It was built in the 11th century and, like any fortress, protected the city and its inhabitants from enemy troops. Now the Alcazaba attracts many tourists not only as a historical monument, but also as a very picturesque place. The fortress is located on a hill, so climbing to the very top, you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the whole of Malaga.
Malaga Cathedral
Not far from the Alcazaba is another impressive architectural structure - the Cathedral of Malaga (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Incarnation). Construction work began several decades after the defeat of the Muslim state by Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile. It was assumed that the cathedral would become a symbol of the greatness and victory of Christianity. The construction of the temple was very long and lasted almost three centuries (1528 - 1782). The length of the tower of the cathedral is 85 meters, which makes it the secondtallest temple in all of Andalusia.
An interesting enough fact, which adds to the unusual construction, is that the second tower has not yet been completed. In this regard, the cathedral is sometimes called "one-armed". It is also surprising that the building of the temple combines several architectural styles at once: baroque, gothic and classicism. The vast majority of tourists who have visited this monumental cathedral share genuine admiration and declare that it is a must-see for all who come to Malaga.
Botanical Garden
If you get tired of the heat and want to hide from the rays of the scorching Spanish sun, be sure to visit the botanical garden "La Concepción" - the most beautiful park in Malaga, created back in the 19th century. Here are several thousand plants from all over Spain and beyond. After walking along the hot European streets, you can instantly be transported to the tropical jungle. Many tourists admit that they don’t want to leave here - it’s so nice to stroll slowly through the picturesque park. Some even call it a "green oasis".
In addition to a variety of trees and flowers, here you can see parrots, beautiful fountains and waterfalls. Even if you are not interested in botany at all, be sure to visit the Malaga Botanical Garden and enjoy the coolness of its green alleys.
Picasso Museum
The inhabitants of Malaga are very proud of their famous fellow countryman, so visiting Malaga and not visiting the Picasso Museum is the samethe most that to come to St. Petersburg and not go on a tour of the Hermitage. The museum is located in the Buenavista Palace and was founded in 2003. The building used to be a royal residence, but King Juan Carlos of Spain donated it to the museum. The gallery presents a large collection of the master's creations: about 200 paintings, as well as sculptures. The ticket price includes an audio guide, including in Russian. Most of the museum exhibits were donated by the artist's relatives.
Not far from the Buenavista Palace is the Picasso House Museum, which is more dedicated to his biography than to his paintings. Even if you do not consider yourself a connoisseur of painting, do not miss the opportunity to touch the work of the great artist.
Plaza de Toros
If Italy is associated with pizza and the Colosseum, then when thinking about Spain, two symbols come to mind most quickly - flamenco and bullfighting. Holidays in Spain, in Malaga in particular, cannot do without the first or the second. As for the favorite entertainment of the Spaniards - bullfighting, in Malaga you can see this performance in the Plaza de Toros "La Malagueta". There is also a bullfighting museum here, where among the exhibits are the clothes of matadors, old posters and harnesses. The arena building itself is a landmark of the city and is often depicted on all souvenirs. You immediately pay attention to it when you look at the panoramic photos of Malaga.
Beach vacation
It's time to learn about the beaches of Malaga. Spain is famous for its beautifulbeach resorts, and Malaga is no exception. The coastline is officially divided into 16 parts. Most of the beaches are sandy, each of them has everything you need to relax - changing cabins, public toilets and a large selection of excellent restaurants with very affordable prices. Having studied the list of beaches, each tourist can choose something most suitable for their preferences. "Le Malagueta" is suitable for a family vacation, lovers of outdoor activities and sports will love the beach "La Caleta". The promenade of Pedregalejo is famous for its nightlife, and seekers of new sensations, of course, can be advised to visit "de Guadalmar" - the only official nudist beach in Malaga. Most of the beaches are within walking distance from the city center.
Nightlife
Malaga, like any large densely populated city, never sleeps. At night, there are many clubs with incendiary dances and loud music, as well as bars where you can drink with old friends and make new acquaintances. In many nightclubs in Malaga, you can watch dance and music shows, including flamenco dancing. At night, there are always a lot of noisy and cheerful companies on the streets, both young people and families with children. In general, the Spaniards love and know how to relax both during the day and at night.
Shopping
If you suddenly get bored with museums and the beach, go shopping. In Malaga, you will find both boutiques with fashionable branded clothes and small shops with souvenirs. One of the largest shopping and entertainment centers in Malaga -"Larios" have a huge area of 45 thousand square meters. meters, occupied by shops of famous brands (Zara, Mango, Tezenis and so on), restaurants and a cinema. You can plunge into the atmosphere of street trading on Constitution Square, where you can buy souvenirs as a gift, ceramics and antiques. For fresh products, head to Malaga's central market, Atarasanas, where you can buy fruits, vegetables, fish and jamon at quite affordable prices.
Gastronomy
Málaga's gastronomy is very diverse due to its mild climate and proximity to the sea. It is presented for the most part by Mediterranean cuisine at its best. The most popular among tourists are seafood and fish. One of the most famous dishes, which is served almost everywhere - both in expensive restaurants and in beach eateries - "espeto de sardinas". These are sardines, traditionally grilled over charcoal, using cane as a skewer. The fish is pre-sprinkled with plenty of sea s alt.
Another way of cooking seafood is called "Moorish pots", it is associated with the use of olive oil, herbs and garlic. Of course, do not forget about traditional Spanish dishes - gazpacho, tapas and paella. A glass of good Spanish wine will help make dinner even more enjoyable - and there is plenty of it here. Thus, in Malaga, no one will go hungry. There are a huge number of establishments for every taste and budget, where you can taste fresh traditional dishes and become even more imbued with love forSpain.
Weather
Thanks to the mountainous terrain, cold winds do not penetrate Malaga. Therefore, even in winter it is relatively warm here, frosts are extremely rare. The peak of the tourist season is summer, when the water in the sea warms up to 25 degrees. The climate becomes very dry, there are almost no rainy days. The air temperature during the day reaches 30 degrees, in such conditions it becomes very difficult to visit excursions and museums. Most tourists prefer to stay in air-conditioned rooms during the day. Other comfortable seasons for holidays in Malaga are the beginning of autumn and the end of spring. The air temperature drops slightly, with occasional rainy days.
You can swim in Malaga from the end of May to the end of October. In winter, the air temperature during the day reaches an average of 15-17 degrees. Of course, there is no question of any swimming, but you can still visit numerous cultural attractions, so even in winter there are many tourists here.
Pearl of Spain. Holidays in Malaga according to tourists
Many Russian tourists have already visited Malaga and made up their minds. After analyzing the reviews about Spain and Malaga in particular on Russian-language travel portals, we can conclude that most people just fell in love with this city. 5-star reviews are heavily dominated, there are few reviews that point out some shortcomings, but in general, the opinion of tourists has been positive. If somewhere there are negative ratings about the resort, then this is rather an exception to the rule. What is so attractiveMalaga tourists?
- Many interesting sights, museums, places for walking - a surprisingly rich sightseeing life.
- What attracts most Russians is the opportunity to soak up the sun and swim in the sea.
- Very large selection of cafes where you can enjoy delicious and unusual dishes.
- Stunning architecture, old buildings of different times and styles.
- Not a hackneyed resort, a small proportion of Russian tourists.
- Unique Spanish flavor.
Of course, you need to remember about some aspects that can cause discomfort during the trip, in order to mentally prepare for them. So, tourists noted the following shortcomings of Malaga as a tourist center:
- Maybe too hot in summer.
- Too many tourists.
- Too busy rhythm of life, not suitable for a calm and measured rest.
However, if you are aware of all the shortcomings (of which there are not so many), and they do not frighten you away, you can safely buy trips to Malaga (Spain), an unforgettable adventure awaits you in the sunny world of beautiful streets, delicious food and smiling people.
